Princes plant-based ready meals

Source: Princes

The range is launching with four SKUs: Lentil & Mushroom Bolognese, Mexican Mixed Bean Chilli, Vegetable Green Thai Curry and Chunky Mixed Veg Curry

Princes has unveiled a quartet of canned plant-based ready meals, with plans to significantly expand its vegan offering.

The cans are intended to serve two people when accompanied with a side like rice, pasta or quinoa, and will roll out into Morrisons and B&M later this month in four flavours: Lentil & Mushroom Bolognese, Mexican Mixed Bean Chilli, Vegetable Green Thai Curry and Chunky Mixed Veg Curry (rsp: £1.50/392g).

Further listings in Sainsbury’s and Co-op will follow later this year.

The range would appeal to younger shoppers looking for vegetarian and vegan options that are also convenient to make and taste great, said Princes.

“Our teams of innovators and development chefs have worked hard to introduce new products which meet the dual demands of our customers who are increasingly looking for plant-based options in delicious flavours that are convenient, easy and affordable”, said Princes commercial director Dean Towey.

The new launch was “the first of many vegan options we hope to share”, he added.

In June, Princes unveiled a duo of canned chicken meatballs aimed at younger shoppers.

At the time, Towey said: “Younger people have realised the versatility, convenience and quality of canned ready meals in the past year.”

Value sales of canned food across grocery grew last year by 19.6% to total £2.8bn [Kantar 52 w/e 21 February 2021], with Princes registering a 13.8% rise.

That came after the supplier saw its profits more than double in the year leading to the first lockdown